Which c hamber are you a member of?
JCI Manchester

How long have you been a JCI member?
Since 2012

What made you join?
I was invited by a friend and Board member at the time to a JCI Manchester event and was introduced to a number of great people from different professions. It became clear to me relatively quickly that this was no ordinary networking group and was something I wanted to be a part of.

What is the most interesting JCI event you’ve been to and why?
The beauty with the events in Manchester is that nearly every one is different. Not just different because of the range of people we have attending, but also because of where they are held and the themes which accompany them. One of my favourite events was the ‘Speed Networking’ at Neighbourhood Bar & Restaurant, but the pièce de résistance is the ‘Manchester Young Talent Awards’ or ‘MYTAs’ held annually in November. The MYTAs are not only a great chance for recognition of young talent in Manchester but also a cracking night where the day after HAS to be booked off!

Had JCI presented any unusual/interesting opportunities?
JCI Manchester organise an annual event called the ‘New Members Evening’ (aka the ‘NME’) where current and prospective members are invited to an exciting, jam-packed event for free! We use this event as an opportunity to raise the chambers’ profile and display what we are all about to potential members as well as look after our current ones. During the last NME, titled ‘Shaken, Not Stirred’, a Bond themed evening, I was forced to wear the Daniel Craig swimming shorts/underpants. Unfortunately there is photographic evidence of this in the social media world…!

What is your job/career/profession/business?
By definition I am a corporate solicitor, however I have recently decided to embark on the entrepreneurial path. I am working on an exciting new business concept based solely online, which will all become clear in the next 6-9months!

Has JCI had any impact on your job/career/profession/business?
Not only has JCI been a pivotal part of my development as a solicitor here in Manchester, but has also provided me with the information, contacts and courage to start my own business. I have a few other shareholders involved in the business and met one of those through JCI so I can’t speak highly enough of how the chamber has helped me get where I am today. Please look out for a blog being produced shortly which will give members a look at how I have taken inspiration from JCI

What’s your proudest achievement?
Volunteering during three consecutive summers, spending time with the wonderful children at Barnardo’s.

If we gave you an elephant, where would you hide it?
I wouldn’t want to hide it; I would want to walk with it around Manchester everyday (just like on the MoneySuperMarket advert)*

*no animals were harmed in the making of this comment

Tell us something crazy/dangerous/inspiring/unusual you have done 
It would have to be surfing alongside a shark in Noosa, Australia….it may have turned out to have been a giant turtle!

Thanks Daniel!